How to Train a Dog to Pick Up Toys

If a dog can “fetch,” then it can learn to place its toys in a designated place.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog’s favorite toys
• Appropriate container or place for storing toys

1. Allow the dog to play with its toys for a few minutes.

2. Play “fetch,” but when the dog retrieves the toy, immediately tell the dog where the toys will be kept.

3. Say, “Put up the toy” or “Put the toy away” or another appropriate command sentence while guiding the dog to drop the toy right there at that spot.

4. Reward the dog with a treat.

5. Once your dog has learned where its toys will be kept, point to the area or container while giving the appropriate command sentence.

6. Reward the dog each time it remembers to pick up after itself.

Tips & Warnings

• Always put the dog’s toys back in the same area or container. The dog will learn that this is where the toys go.
• Be lavish with praise, but only when your dog has performed successfully.
• Be sure the “put away” command is different from any other command concerning the dog’s toys.
• Don’t expect your dog to pick up after itself each and every time. After all, children don’t.